[martyslc]

Hot glue nice, thanks for the tips guys.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Assuming you have Rick's beginners kit (becasue you have the knife), I'd give the skew chisel a go. Look's from the picture like it would do the job.

[Ashbys]

Before you go purchasing chisels, might I ask how much room do you have to work with ?

A number 2 chisel can be a lot of different sizes. The 2 refers to the curve of the chisel not the width.

The 5 and the 12 refer to the width of the chisel. so a 2/12 is basically a number 2 curve 1/2 inch wide. the 2/5 is about 5/16 wide. If the point of a knife won't fit it will be even harder for a chisel to fit.

So is the knife pointed or blunt , does the cutting edge go to the end of the knife? Or is it rounded to keep you from cutting to the edge ?

Ash

[martyslc]

Originally Posted by Ashbys

Before you go purchasing chisels, might I ask how much room do you have to work with ?

A number 2 chisel can be a lot of different sizes. The 2 refers to the curve of the chisel not the width.

The 5 and the 12 refer to the width of the chisel. so a 2/12 is basically a number 2 curve 1/2 inch wide. the 2/5 is about 5/16 wide. If the point of a knife won't fit it will be even harder for a chisel to fit.

So is the knife pointed or blunt , does the cutting edge go to the end of the knife? Or is it rounded to keep you from cutting to the edge ?

Ash

I don't have that much room thanks for helping with the numbers. I was thinking somthing to help smooth out his chest and under the chin. I have ricks starter kit and the knife just wont get into this area. A curved knife might but a I was think like a #2-1/4"wide would gouge might.

[martyslc]

Originally Posted by Plain_Ol_Ed

Assuming you have Rick's beginners kit (becasue you have the knife), I'd give the skew chisel a go. Look's from the picture like it would do the job.

I must not be that good with this tool because it's beveled on both sides. Seems to be throwing me off. I'm much better with the gouges.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Might be you're trying to take off a bit too much wood. In the narrower widths, there's not a whole lot of difference between the chissels and a #2 or even a 3..

[mark yundt]

Doris has set you on the right path I believe. If I were to carve this area,,,I would use the same chisels she is suggesting. A # 2 or #3 in about a 5 width. That'll clean this area up no problem if used properly and the piece is held securely.It'll do a cleaner/better job than most any other tool I can think of.

[Ron Davidson]

I myself use a Pfeil detail knife that has a long narrow point. With this I can reach in and roll it and carve the chin and throat areas easier than a chisel.
Ron

[Claude]

Marty:

I use a Bütz detail knife (second one down, here
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=1336

The other thing I use a lot is a #3-3mm gouge:
http://www.flexcut.com/products/cart...ategory_id=119

Claude

[Ashbys]

Marty

The 2/5 is a 1/4 in wide I just measured one. The cost will be about 32.00 with tax. It can be used for a lot of things. But it is a striaght cutter. There are many things things you can do with it, but as any cutter it has limitations.

Marks statement is correct

That'll clean this area up no problem if used properly and the piece is held securely

.

As I am not aware of how you are working the piece, or as to what you may or may not do in the future . As such I am not willing to tell you use this or use that, I will give you as much information as I have , for you to make the decision. Different carving styles use different techiques, there are great carvings done with only pocketknives, and pen knifes. There are wonderful works of art done with chisels. Me personally I would use a trained beaver if it would get the job done.

Mark is a very fine woodcarver, be he too started with knives. ( Ask him ) Chisels are a natural progressing to reach higher levels in carving, once you get to know them, they can be used for amazing results. You are working on a very small section of one carving, your first in 30 years, Yes the chisel will do the job, but are you going to use it again? Or will it be put aside and left for another 30 years?

A fine detail knife, will do what you need done. It may not be as clean a a properly used chisel, but how will you know you used it properly? Your just cutting a piece of wood, all you really want to know is what can you use to get the section cut that your worried about. Are you going to sand the carving ? Will the sanding remove wood?
There are many things you can see we can not , there are things you know we do not, You know what you want in the finished piece we do not. A small riffling file will do the same job.

If this was your 4th/5th carving and you asked the same question , I would tell you buy the chisel, but it isn't and because of that I would suggest a tool with more options of use , even it it was used for cutting a steak 3 years from now.

Ash